If you plan to take a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) prep course, finding the best one is a must for anyone who wants to succeed in this business school entrance exam.
Many GMAT prep services claim they can help you prepare, but not all deliver the results students need.
One of the most important things about taking a GMAT prep course is finding one that fits your learning style and schedule, so you don't get overwhelmed with information or overworked by too much work.
This article will review some of the best GMAT prep courses on the market. Let’s take a closer look.
Top GMAT Prep Courses
1 - Magoosh GMAT
Magoosh GMAT leads off our reviews because it's one of the top online GMAT prep courses available.
It offers students up to 340 videos on different concepts, 1,300 practice questions, and 2 diagnostic tests to help them master the material.
Additionally, its Tutoring package comes with six hours of 1-on-1 private tutoring.
Students can use their course materials on an iOS or Android device as well as through a web browser.
The Magoosh GMAT prep course also comes with some neat features.
Its "ask an expert" feature gives quick chat or email support when you don't understand something.
The software also has an online whiteboard that mimics the one that is found on the actual exam.
Their score predictor is one of my favorite things about Magoosh.
It gave me a sense of what my final score was expected to be based on comparisons with previous Magoosh students - and was remarkably accurate.
Quick Facts:
- Price: $219 for Math + IR, $249 for Premium and $799 for Tutoring
- Guarantee: 7-day money-back guarantee plus a 50-point score improvement guarantee
- Access duration: One year
- Access to AWA, IR, Verbal, and Math content
- Checklists and study schedules to keep you on track
- Plenty of questions, flashcards, and video lessons
- You can pause your subscription
- Only 2 practice exams are available
2 - Kaplan GMAT
Kaplan is a well-regarded test prep company that has been around for many years. Their GMAT courses are very comprehensive.
The Kaplan GMAT prep course offers several different tools that can help you prepare for the test, including video lessons, lots of practice questions, and diagnostic exams to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
I took full advantage of Kaplan's "Official Test Day Experience," which included going to a testing center and simulating every aspect of test day - no surprises.
Quick Facts:
- Price: $599 for Self-Paced, $1,249 for Live Online, $1,649 for Tutoring
- Guarantee: A 1-point score improvement guarantee
- Access duration: Six months
- An adaptive question bank that adjusts to your performance
- More than 5,000 questions and 9 practice tests
- 140+ hours of online lessons
- One of the more expensive programs
3 - Princeton Review GMAT
The Princeton Review is another reputable company that has helped students prepare for their GMATs for years.
The Princeton Review GMAT course is available as a self-paced and an in-person or online GMAT prep course with more than 4,400 practice questions and video lessons to help you master the test concepts.
One unique offering is their GMAT 700+ course.
This premium course guarantees that if you scored 620 or higher on a prior GMAT, you will score 700 or higher on the next GMAT.
I can unequivocally state that I never ran out of quiz material with their 10 practice GMAT tests.
Quick Facts:
- Price: $699 for Self-Paced, $1,299 for GMAT Fundamentals course, $1,599 for GMAT 700+, $167/hr for 1-on-1 Tutoring
- Guarantee: 7-day money-back guarantee plus a 1-point score improvement guarantee (for all courses except the 700+ course)
- Access duration: Four months
- 700+ guarantee program
- An adaptive databank focusing on high-yield topics
- Many training questions and practice exams
- On the expensive side
4 - Economist GMAT
Created by The Economist Group, known for its financial publication, the Economist GMAT course is data-driven and incorporates analytical thinking into your GMAT prep.
The Economist GMAT course offers 50+ video lessons and includes weekly practice quizzes to test your knowledge.
They also use artificial intelligence to identify your learning habits and patterns and provide practice questions and solution strategies.
Every student gets at least one tutoring session with the Economist Education GMAT tutor and the opportunity to ask questions.
My tutor was excellent - she helped me with some tricky concepts.
Quick Facts:
- Price: $449 for Essential, $699 for Premium, $989 for Genius plan
- Guarantee: 7-day money-back guarantee plus 50-70 points GMAT score improvement guarantee depending on the plan
- Access duration: Four to six months depending on the plan
- Customizable plans with course credits
- A subscription to The Economist magazine included
- Expert critiques of your writing
- Less clarity on what requires credits and what is in the base plan
5 - Target Test Prep GMAT
Target Test Prep is known for making complex concepts clear and having deep GMAT expertise.
This skill set is relayed to students via their 1,400+ videos and 3,700+ practice questions.
Target Test’s GMAT study plans are personalized and adaptable, and they focus strongly on all aspects of the GMAT Verbal and Quant topics so that the student is well-prepared for the test.
They are the only company on the list that offers a month-to-month payment option, so this is a great solution for any student who is short on time and cramming right before taking the GMAT exam.
Quick Facts:
- Price: $99/month for Flexible Preparation package, $299 for 4 months of Dedicated Study, $399 for 6 months of access to Maximum Learning package
- Guarantee: 5-day trial for $1, plus a 10-110+ point improvement guarantee depending on your initial test score
- Access duration: Month-to-month, four or six months, depending on the plan
- Plenty of study materials and practice questions
- Smart analytics let you hone in on your weak areas
- Provides a personal study plan
- Score improvement guarantee has limitations
6 - Manhattan Prep GMAT
Manhattan Prep's flagship course is their 'Interact for GMAT' program.
This is an adaptive, interactive experience that is self-paced and available to students 24/7.
The Manhattan Prep GMAT course material was created in HD and can be accessed from your computer or mobile device.
"Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision." ― Peter F. Drucker, businessman
The practice questions adapt to your knowledge level. If you answer a problem correctly, you will advance to more challenging topics.
If you get a wrong answer, you will receive an in-depth review of that content.
I appreciated getting the Manhattan Prep GMAT guides and supplemental resources as part of the package - they gave further context to the 35+ interactive lessons in the course.
Quick Facts:
- Price: $999 for the full course, $1,499 for the full course plus 3 hours of private tutoring
- Guarantee: First five lessons are free
- Access duration: Six months
- Lesson design that adapts to your strengths and weaknesses
- 6 practice tests to supplement the 35+ lessons
- 5 strategy guides in addition to the Manhattan Prep GMAT app
- The price is above average
7 - PrepScholar GMAT
PrepScholar's GMAT program begins with the student taking a diagnostic exam.
Then, their proprietary software creates a custom study plan and curriculum based on those results.
The study plan gives you assignments for the week to prioritize specific core and advanced skills.
They also forecast additional skills so you can see what you will be working on in the future.
Their GMAT course is self-paced and features 50+video lessons, 1,200+ practice questions, and two computer tests.
I found it valuable that these tests included adaptive learning technology so that the questions adapted to my knowledge and skill level - and changed as I improved.
Quick Facts:
- Price: $69 for resources only, $139 for self-guided, $259 for adaptive and customized
- Guarantee: 5-day money-back guarantee plus a 60-point score improvement guarantee
- Access duration: Two to four months depending on the plan
- A personalized study plan created by predictive analytics
- Progress tracking tools
- Least expensive program on the list
- Short access duration
8 - Veritas Prep GMAT Course
Veritas Prep's GMAT is a self-paced course that offers 5,000 practice questions, live online help, and free admissions consulting.
The program has two hours daily of live 'office hours' by instructors, as well as a message portal that will get you answers to your questions within 24 hours.
The twelve Veritas prep books will help you build skills and strategies across every major GMAT topic.
This course will test your knowledge with 12 adaptive practice tests and thousands of additional practice questions.
Veritas Prep offers video lessons on a computer, phone, or tablet.
I really like that these are synced so that I could just pick up where I left off when I needed to change devices.
Quick Facts:
- Price: $699 for Self Study, $1,399 for Live Online, $2,650 for Private Tutoring
- Guarantee: 50-point score improvement guarantee
- Access duration: One year
- Options for live classes and 1-on-1 tutoring
- Free admissions consultation
- A whole year of access to their test prep courses
- Some students can’t afford this course
Buyer's Guide to GMAT Courses
When trying to decide between GMAT prep courses, here are the most important factors you should take into consideration.
Price
Of course, one of the first things you should look at is the price. If you're on a tight budget, your options will be limited. In this case, you want to ensure you are getting good value for money.
Courses on the upper end of the pricing spectrum often come with features that students believe are worth the added costs.
But price shouldn't be the sole factor in your decision, as high-quality GMAT prep courses are available at lower prices.
Access Duration
No matter how good your GMAT prep course is, you will not see the results you want if you do not have time to devote to your studies.
At a minimum, you need a prep course that allows you access from the time of purchase until you take the test.
Ideally, test-takers looking for a GMAT prep course should find one that gives them sufficient months of access so they can study on their schedule.
Quality and Scope
No course is worth purchasing unless it comes with quality instruction.
I only recommend courses that have quality instructors and curriculum, as well as those that are known for generating high scores.
Also, look at the course's scope.
You want to make sure that the course you choose covers all the topics you will see on the GMAT.
Similarity to the GMAT
All the best GMAT prep courses include full-length practice exams with questions similar to those found on the actual test.
Some GMAT preparation companies have practice tests where the questions are far too difficult or so easy that they don't provide any benefit. Make sure your course includes practice exams with similar levels of difficulty to those found on the GMAT.
Convenience
Many GMAT prep courses come with user-friendly features like mobile access or flashcards. Additionally, look for test prep that offers a flexible schedule and is available online.
After all, if you cannot make the GMAT preparation work within your schedule, it will not be beneficial.
Number of Practice Tests
Another factor to consider is the number of practice tests a prep course offers.
The best GMAT prep courses include an abundance of practice exams so you have ample practice opportunities to prepare for the GMAT test.
Companion App
The best GMAT courses will come with a companion app so you can access your materials on the go.
A companion app available on your phone or tablet will give you the flexibility to study at any time without having to be tied to a desk to view lessons or practice questions.
FAQs
Are GMAT Prep Courses Worth It?
Yes, GMAT prep courses are worth it.
Best GMAT prep courses offer practice questions and tests, lessons, access to tutors, test-taking strategies, and other GMAT prep resources,, all of which will help you get ready for the test day.
Is GRE or GMAT Harder?
There is no clear-cut answer for this question since these tests are not created equally.
Both tests are challenging in different ways.
Is GMAT Better for MBA?
There is no universally suitable answer because it depends on the circumstances.
Some MBA admissions committees prefer one test over the other due to a specific scoring metric or institutional policies.
In general, if your top choice allows either GMAT or GRE scores for admission, it is probably best to take both exams and submit whichever score is higher [1].
However, if you can only take one, most schools will look favorably on high GMAT scores for their admissions process.
Can I Take Both GRE and GMAT?
Yes, you can take both GRE and GMAT. However, it may be difficult to study for both tests.
Although these tests have some similarities, they also have significant differences, and each requires the test-takers to prepare adequately.
The Best GMAT Prep Course: Final Thoughts
After thoroughly reviewing all the choices, our recommendation for the top GMAT prep course is the Magoosh GMAT course. This course offers high-quality instruction and tools to help students score higher on the exam.
Students have access to a large amount of prep material, including 340+ video lessons and 1,300+ questions, depending on the plan. Magoosh also offers a money-back and point-improvement guarantee to back up their program.
Magoosh is affordable, and students can choose between different course options, depending on their needs and learning style. They also have access to teachers who can answer questions and provide guidance.
If you are looking for a course that balances value and cost, check out Magoosh GMAT.
Our #1 Recommendation
Magoosh GMAT
- Access to AWA, IR, Verbal, and Math content
- Checklists and study schedules to keep you on track
- Plenty of questions, flashcards, and video lessons
- You can pause your subscription
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